Israel

Giant strawberry earns Israeli farmer a Guinness World Record

Israeli farmer Chahi Ariel has grown the world's heaviest strawberry, according to Guinness World Records. At 289 grams, the strawberry was about five times the average weight of a regular…

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Israel eases Covid restrictions

Israel dropped a "Green Pass" policy requiring proof of vaccination, recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test to enter some public venues, further rolling back restrictions as a wave of…

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Rebounding from COVID, Israel economy grows 8.1% in 2021, fastest pace in 21 years

JERUSALEM, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Israel's economy grew at its fastest pace in 21 years in 2021, bouncing back amid double-digit gains in consumer spending, exports and investment after a very weak 2020…

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US Navy eyes Israeli robot boats as Bennett visits Bahrain, official says

The U.S. Navy is considering adding unmanned Israeli boats to its Middle East operations, a U.S. official said, a move that could deepen Israel's growing role in regional military arrangements…

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Israeli prime minister to make first visit to Bahrain on Monday

JERUSALEM, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett will travel to Bahrain on Monday in the highest-level visit since the countries established relations under a 2020 U.S.-sponsored deal…

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Israeli forces kill Palestinian in West Bank clash

JERUSALEM, Feb 14 (Reuters) - Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian during a clash in the occupied West Bank as troops prepared to demolish the home of a man accused…

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Israel strikes Syria in response to missile fire

JERUSALEM, Feb 9 (Reuters) - The Israeli military said it attacked missile batteries in Syria on Wednesday after an anti-aircraft missile was fired towards Israel during what Syrian state television…

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Israeli forces kill three Palestinian militants in West Bank

Israeli forces killed three Palestinian gunmen travelling in a car in the occupied West Bank on Tuesday, Israel's domestic security service said. The Palestinian Foreign Ministry described the incident as…

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Israel may halt flights to Dubai over security arrangements

JERUSALEM, Feb 6 (Reuters) - Israel said on Sunday that it could halt Israeli airlines' flights to Dubai in the next few days due to a dispute over security arrangements,…

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Amnesty accuses Israel of enforcing ‘apartheid’ on Palestinians

"The United Nations Security Council and the General Assembly are obliged to heed the compelling evidence presented by Amnesty and other leading human rights organizations and hold Israel accountable for…

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Israel sees Holocaust tropes in COVID protests fuelling anti-Semitism

JERUSALEM, Jan 27 (Reuters) - Protesters against COVID-19 measures who liken themselves to Jews under Nazi persecution are stoking global anti-Semitism, the Israeli government said in a report marking International…

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Photo Story: Snowstorm in Jerusalem

People walk during snowstorm in Jerusalem, Israel, during a regional winter storm called 'Elpis' that has also affected Turkey and Greece. Winter storm Elpis brought piles of snow to northern…

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Israel broadens eligibility for fourth shot of COVID vaccine

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel broadened eligibility for a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine to include adults under 60 with underlying medical conditions, their caretakers, and others over 18 at significant…

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Israel mulls offering 4th COVID vaccine dose to all adults

An Israeli government advisory panel has recommended offering a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to all adults, on condition that at least five months have passed since they received the third…

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Fourth COVID vaccine shot raises resistance to serious illness for over-60s: Israel

JERUSALEM, Jan 23 (Reuters) - A fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine given to people over 60 in Israel made them three times more resistant to serious illness than thrice-vaccinated people…

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Photo Story: Cold snap in the Middle East

Frozen chair lifts following a snowstorm as the ski season opens at the Mount Hermon Resort, at the intersection of the Israeli-Lebanese-Syrian border in the north of the Golan Heights.…

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U.N. defines Holocaust denial

The United Nations General Assembly agreed on a definition of denial of the Holocaust, when the Nazis killed 6 million Jews during World War Two, and urged social media companies…

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Israel signs $3.4 bln submarines deal with Germany’s Thyssenkrupp

JERUSALEM, Jan 20 (Reuters) - Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will build three advanced submarines for the Israeli Navy in a deal worth 3 billion euros ($3.4 billion), the Israeli Defense…

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European countries urge Israel to stop construction in East Jerusalem

The foreign ministries of France, Germany, Italy and Spain urged Israeli authorities on Wednesday evening to stop the construction of new housing units in East Jerusalem. Earlier in the month,…

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Israeli study shows 4th shot of COVID-19 vaccine less effective on Omicron

A fourth shot of COVID-19 vaccine boosts antibodies to even higher levels than the third jab but it is not enough to prevent Omicron infections, according to a preliminary study in Israel.…

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Israeli ex-PM Netanyahu’s cases could be dropped in plea deal

Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is negotiating a plea deal which could end his corruption trial, a source close to the talks has said. An agreement could see Mr…

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Omicron will cost Israel $640 mln every three weeks, central bank chief says

JERUSALEM, Jan 10 (Reuters) - The Omicron coronavirus variant sweeping Israel will cost the economy around two billion shekels ($641.81 million) every 20 days, central bank governor Amir Yaron said…

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Israel not bound by any nuclear deal with Iran, Bennett says

JERUSALEM, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Monday that Israel would not be bound by any nuclear deal with Iran and would continue to consider itself…

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Swab throat too when using rapid COVID test, Israel’s Health Ministry says

JERUSALEM, Jan 10 (Reuters) - Israel's Health Ministry on Monday instructed people self-testing for COVID-19 to swab their throat as well as their nose when using rapid antigen kits to…

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Updated: Relying on more home COVID tests, Israel looks to lower costs

JERUSALEM, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Israel sought on Sunday to ease access to home COVID-19 tests after a decision to allow most vaccinated people to use the kits to decide…

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Infections at record high as Omicron sweeps Israel, To cancel high COVID-risk designation of U.S.

JERUSALEM, Jan 6 (Reuters) - Data from Israel on Thursday supported growing evidence worldwide that Omicron causes milder illness than previous variants of the coronavirus, even as the country grappled…

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Israel earmarks COVID PCRs for high-risk groups, expands home-testing

JERUSALEM, Jan 5 (Reuters) - Israel changed its COVID-19 quarantine and testing policy on Wednesday in what the Health Ministry described as an effort to ensure continued protection for vulnerable…

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Fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose boosts antibodies five-fold in Israeli study

A fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine boosts antibodies five-fold a week after the shot is administered, Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said, citing preliminary findings of an Israeli study. "A…

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Israel, in U.S. visa talks, eyes easing access for Palestinian-Americans

Israel is prepared to permit Palestinian-American dual nationals to transit its territory as part of an emerging U.S. visa waiver deal for its citizens, a top Israeli official said on…

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UPDATED: Israel to admit some foreigners with presumed COVID immunity as of Jan 9

Israel said on Monday it will admit foreigners with presumed COVID-19 immunity from countries deemed medium-risk as of Jan. 9, partially reversing a ban on entry by foreigners imposed in…

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Israel’s Jerusalem Post website hacked on Soleimani assassination anniversary

JERUSALEM, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Israel's Jerusalem Post newspaper said on Monday its website had been hacked, in what it said was an apparent threat to the country. Instead of…

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Omicron could lead Israel to herd immunity, health official says

Israel could reach herd immunity amid surging Omicron infections, its top health official said on Sunday, as the country approved the use of Merck & Co's molnupiravir anti-viral pill for…

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Israel signs deal to buy $3.1 bln in U.S. helicopters, tankers

JERUSALEM, Dec 31 (Reuters) - Israel has signed a deal with the United States to buy 12 Lockheed Martin Corp CH-53K helicopters and two Boeing Co KC-46 refuelling planes, the…

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Israel extends 4th COVID vaccine to elderly in care facilities

Israel is extending its offer of a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose to elderly people in care facilities, Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz said on Friday, citing their high exposure and vulnerability…

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Israel approves fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot for immunocompromised

JERUSALEM, Dec 30 (Reuters) - Israel is to go ahead with second COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for people with weakened immune systems, the top government health official said on Thursday,…

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Israel open to ‘good’ Iran nuclear deal, but wants tougher Vienna terms

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said on Tuesday that Israel would not automatically oppose a nuclear deal with Iran but world powers must take a firmer position. "We are not the…

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Bird flu kills thousands of cranes in Israel, poultry also culled

An outbreak of avian flu has killed more than 5,000 migratory cranes in Israel, prompting authorities to declare a popular nature reserve off-limits to visitors and warn of a possible egg shortage as…

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Led by high-tech, Israel exports projected to reach record $140 bln in 2021

JERUSALEM, Dec 27 (Reuters) - Israel's exports are on course to hit a record high of as much as $140 billion in 2021, up 18% from last year, with the…

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Israel sets goal of doubling number of Jewish settlers on Golan Heights

Israel's government set a goal on Sunday of doubling the number of Jewish settlers in the Golan Heights within five years, a move that could tighten its hold on the…

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UPDATED: Israeli hospital launches first test of second COVID-19 booster

RAMAT GAN, Israel, Dec 27 (Reuters) - An Israeli hospital administered fourth COVID-19 vaccine doses to a test group of health workers on Monday, in what it called the first…

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25 Percent Spike in Serious Covid-19 Cases in Israel, PM Bennett Self-isolates

Israel's Health Ministry recorded 98 active serious COVID cases on Sunday, marking a 24 percent increase over the last eight days, as fears grow of an omicron wave overwhelming the…

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Israeli hospital reports first death of patient with Omicron variant

JERUSALEM, Dec 21 (Reuters) - An Israeli hospital on Tuesday confirmed the first known death in the countryof a patient with the Omicron variant of COVID-19, but said he had…

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Photo Story: India wins Miss Universe 2021 contest in Eilat

Miss India Harnaaz Sandhu (L) is crowned Miss Universe 2021 by Miss Universe 2020 Andrea Meza (R) from Mexico during the Miss Universe 2021 pageant in Eilat, Israel, 13 December…

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Israel imposing travel ban for Britain, Denmark, Belgium over Omicron spread – official

JERUSALEM, Dec 12 (Reuters) - Israel on Sunday announced it was adding Britain, Denmark and Belgium to its "red" list of countries that Israelis are forbidden to visit, citing concern…

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Israeli study finds Pfizer COVID-19 booster protects against Omicron

Israeli researchers said they found that a three-shot course of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine provided significant protection against the new Omicron variant. The findings were similar to those presented by…

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As diplomacy stutters, U.S., Israel to discuss military drills for Iran scenario -U.S. official

U.S. and Israeli defense chiefs are expected on Thursday to discuss possible military exercises that would prepare for a worst-case scenario to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities should diplomacy fail and…

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Photo Story: Miss Malta and other Miss Universe beauty pageant contestants visit the Dead Sea

Contestants of the 2021 Miss Universe beauty pageant enjoy themselves at the Dead Sea, Israel, 04 December 2021. The 70th Miss Universe beauty contest takes place at the Dead Sea…

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Photo Story: Miss Malta and other Miss Universe contestants tour Jerusalem’s Old City

Miss Cambodia Ngin Marady (L), Miss Paraguay Nadia Ferreira (C), and Miss Malta Jade Cini (R) pose as members of the Miss Universe beauty pageant tour Jerusalem's Old, ahead of…

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Israel’s Supreme Court clears return of of kidnapped boy to Italy

A six-year-old boy, the sole survivor of an Italian cable car disaster who was kidnapped and taken to Israel by his grandfather, will be returned to Italy no later than Dec. 12, Israel's Supreme Court ruled…

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Israel will host Miss Universe contest next month despite Omicron, minister says

JERUSALEM, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Israel will host the Miss Universe beauty pageant on Dec 12 despite imposing travel restrictions in a bid to stave off the Omicron strain of…

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Israel’s Bennett “very worried” world powers will ease Iran sanctions in atom talks

JERUSALEM, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Israel is "very worried" that world powers will remove sanctions on Iran in exchange for insufficient caps on its nuclear programme, Prime Minister Naftali Naftali…

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Israel to ban entry of foreigners from all countries over Omicron

Israel said it would ban the entry of all foreigners into the country, making it the first country to shut its borders completely in response to a new and potentially…

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UPDATED: Israeli PM warns of state of emergency due to new coronavirus variant

JERUSALEM, Nov 26 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett met health experts on Friday to discuss how best to respond to a new variant of the coronavirus that has…

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Morocco and Israel sign defence MOU in Rabat, Israeli spokesperson says

Morocco and Israel signed a defence memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Rabat on Wednesday, opening the way for possible military sales and cooperation after the countries upgraded diplomatic ties last…

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Israel signals readiness to escalate Iran confrontation amid nuclear talks

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett signalled readiness on Tuesday to step up Israel's confrontation with Iran and reiterated that his country would not be bound by any new Iranian nuclear deal with world powers. Indirect…

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Vaccine passports would allow infections to be missed

“Vaccine passports” that exempt vaccinated people from regular COVID-19 testing would allow many infections to be missed, Israeli data suggest. Researchers analyzed infection rates in citizens returning to Israel through…

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Netanyahu makes rare appearance at his corruption trial

Former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a rare appearance at his corruption trial on Tuesday but an expected courtroom encounter with an ex-aide who has turned state's witness never happened as…

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